Baptist PressDespite Europe's increasing secularization, most residents of six European countries studied by the Pew Research Center continue to pay a tax designated for support of religious organizations -- though they are permitted to opt out. At least 68% of taxpayers pay the traditional church tax in every country featured in the study, amounting to billions of euros annually, Pew reported April 30.READ MORE

Cleveland.comEmail hackers stole $1.75 million from St. Ambrose Catholic Parish in Brunswick, the church said in a letter to parishioners.
The FBI determined hackers tricked St. Ambrose into believing that the construction firm it is working with to repair and restore the church changed its bank account. The hackers deceived St. Ambrose into wiring the money to a fraudulent bank account, Father Bob Stec said in the letter.READ MORE

The Church NetworkThe early-bird deadline to register for the 63rd annual conference of The Church Network is TODAY. The conference runs July 11-14 in Charlotte. This is a must-attend event for anyone working as a church administrative leader, whether you are new to the work or a seasoned veteran. This conference is an engaging, thought-provoking event offering you multiple ways to network with church leaders, find a mentor, get a sneak preview of emerging technology, and hone your skills. You'll learn the latest information from thought-leaders such as Richard Hammar and Frank Sommerville. The registration fee will not be lower than on this early-bird deadline day. Don't delay, register today!READ MORE

Protect your Church with ProcessCreating, maintaining, and enforcing policy is hard. It can get your church in as much trouble as it should prevent. But good processes almost invariably protect your church and make it more effective and efficient in the process. Learn how in our 15-minute webinar - sign up here!

Biblical LeadershipThe best way your church will break through growth barriers is to do so quickly. I hear from pastors all the time who want to break through specific attendance barriers, whether it's 100, 150, 250 or even 1,000. Churches rarely break those kinds of barriers through gradual growth. READ MORE

By Mark MacDonaldYou're busy. You juggle a ton of details and maybe even manage a group of chaotic people. And that's in your personal life! Then, you duplicate that in your ministry life and it doesn't leave much time for anything else. In fact, in the quest to take it all in and remain sane, most people have to edit, half-listen, or ignore. We listen more to those who say less but still have great content. Our church websites need to take heed and spring clean, or we risk being ignored. Here are five spring cleaning tips.READ MORE

Kaempf Law Firm PCKaempf Law Firm PC defends churches and religious schools in Oregon’s state and federal courts. It also defends child sex abuse cases nationwide.
John Kaempf specializes in legal defenses to child sex abuse lawsuits against religious entities, including the statute of limitations in the lack of vicarious liability. He assists with the defense of these lawsuits across the country.MORE

Inside PhilanthropyNonprofits should appreciate just how much competition they're up against when it comes to getting grants, says John Porter, executive director of the American Grant Writers' Association. A vast array of charities are competing for a limited pool of money from a finite number of grantmaking entities.READ MORE

By Deborah IkeUnfortunately, we continue to see churches and places of worship become victims of violent attacks. While our first and most important tool is prayer, there are several additional steps church leaders can take to protect their congregations.
Deciding when and which doors to lock, how to respond in the event of an emergency, how to collaborate with first responders on emergency response plans, and establishing safety teams are just a few examples.READ MORE

Many church frequently asked questions (FAQ's) that pertain to clergy and church officers may seem basic but are quite important in the normal course of business. However, since churches are not in the automatic stream of information that pertains to them on a regular basis, there is no urgent need to research information until an issue arises. Then it is usually too late.
Check out our church FAQ’s.

Helping Your Church Live Stream is a new book available on Kindle and Amazon. You can download a free PDF copy at the link below. Learn how to help your church reach shut-ins, get noticed by new members, and connect with the world. You can even start accepting donations on social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook!

USA TodayInstead of ceremoniously sitting in a sanctuary on Easter Sunday like millions of Americans, dozens of experience-driven parishioners from all around the world took a walk into Jesus' tomb, peering at the massive stone that once blocked the entrance before taking a tour of the cross where their savior was crucified.
No plane tickets to Jerusalem required. All they needed was an internet connection and a VR headset.READ MORE

EduCleanEdu-Clean will meet all your custodial service requirements. Call 713-476-0800 for a free on site evaluation that will match your budget and janitorial service requirements.

The AtlanticRachel Held Evans, a well-known Christian blogger, author, and joyful troublemaker online, died recently from massive brain swelling after being hospitalized for an infection, according to her family. She was 37. Evans leaves behind two little kids, a husband, and four books to her name. Her death has been met with an up-swelling of grief and appreciation from loyal readers, famous pastors who sparred with her, and, especially, young people who saw her as a mentor.READ MORE

Business InsiderThe world's greatest leaders, from Martin Luther King Jr. to Nelson Mandela, all exhibited one trait that rarely gets talked about: Love.
The best leaders can also empathize with others, which is an extension of love, billionaire philanthropist Melinda Gates says.READ MORE

Forbes"Did you hear what the Pope said?"
These days, we're hearing that more and more. Prior to Pope Francis, I rarely heard anyone speak about the Pope or the Vatican. To be clear, I am not a Catholic (though I did serve eight years of hard time at a maximum-security Catholic grade school), and I tend to limit my exposure to international media coverage. I do believe, however, that Pope Francis keeps turning Christianity on its ear — in a very healthy way.READ MORE

The Church Network is not responsible for products, programs, or links mentioned in this newsbrief. Information is reported as provided and should not be viewed, in any way, as an endorsement of a particular website, company, product, service, idea, or viewpoint.